Pub Date : 2024-09-24DOI: 10.1007/s44192-024-00087-0
Zhaohui Su, Barry L Bentley, Dean McDonnell, Sabina Šegalo, Jianlin Jiang, Xin Yu, Yifan Liu, Tumaresi Alimu, Wenjie Dai, Ya Diao, Yujuan Feng, Dawadanzeng, Sajidai Kadier, Patiguli Milawuti, Jing-Bao Nie, Claudimar Pereira da Veiga, Yu-Tao Xiang
Mental health is deteriorating far and fast globally post-COVID. Though there were already over one billion people living with mental disorders pre-pandemic, in the first year of COVID-19 alone, the prevalence of anxiety and depression soared by 25% worldwide. In light of the chronic shortages of mental health resources and talents, along with disruptions of available health services caused by pandemic-related restrictions, technology is widely believed to hold the key to addressing the rising mental health crises. However, hurdles such as fragmented and oftentimes suboptimal patient protection measures substantially undermine technology's potential to address the global mental health crises reliably and at scale. To shed light on these issues, this paper aims to discuss the post-pandemic mental health challenges and opportunities, and the strategies and solutions the global mental health community could leverage to protect and elevate society's mental health in the long run.
{"title":"Global mental health solidarity: strategies and solutions.","authors":"Zhaohui Su, Barry L Bentley, Dean McDonnell, Sabina Šegalo, Jianlin Jiang, Xin Yu, Yifan Liu, Tumaresi Alimu, Wenjie Dai, Ya Diao, Yujuan Feng, Dawadanzeng, Sajidai Kadier, Patiguli Milawuti, Jing-Bao Nie, Claudimar Pereira da Veiga, Yu-Tao Xiang","doi":"10.1007/s44192-024-00087-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s44192-024-00087-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Mental health is deteriorating far and fast globally post-COVID. Though there were already over one billion people living with mental disorders pre-pandemic, in the first year of COVID-19 alone, the prevalence of anxiety and depression soared by 25% worldwide. In light of the chronic shortages of mental health resources and talents, along with disruptions of available health services caused by pandemic-related restrictions, technology is widely believed to hold the key to addressing the rising mental health crises. However, hurdles such as fragmented and oftentimes suboptimal patient protection measures substantially undermine technology's potential to address the global mental health crises reliably and at scale. To shed light on these issues, this paper aims to discuss the post-pandemic mental health challenges and opportunities, and the strategies and solutions the global mental health community could leverage to protect and elevate society's mental health in the long run.</p>","PeriodicalId":72827,"journal":{"name":"Discover mental health","volume":"4 1","pages":"40"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11422308/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142309256","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-09-24DOI: 10.1007/s44192-024-00097-y
Marina B Kotova, Vadim N Kolesnikov, Marina V Kiseleva, Anton R Kiselev, Oxana M Drapkina
Background: In Russia, the following two questionnaires are mainly used to study the burnout syndrome: Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and Boyko's Burnout Inventory (BBI). Despite the fact that the questionnaires are based on different theoretical models and composition of the scales, they evaluate essentially the same construct. A few published sources provide data on correlations between the results of measuring burnout using these methods. However, the presence of a correlation does not imply the comparability of the methods. The goal of our study was to compare the results of MBI and BBI as well as to develop a methodology for reciprocal recalculation of their burnout estimates.
Methods: MBI and BBI scales were employed to diagnose the burnout syndrome. Our study included 117 men aged 41-44 years. The total scores obtained by the two methods, as well as the subscale scores, were compared using the correlation analysis, the cross-comparative analysis, and the Bland-Altman plot method, while the associations between the results were estimated with odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI).
Results: The total scores (integral indicators based on summing the scores of all subscales and taking into account differences in the weights of scale scores) demonstrated a high similarity in measuring the severity of the burnout. All three dimensions of burnout sensu MBI correlated with the total BBI score.
Conclusion: The comparison (MBI vs. BBI) demonstrated the consistency of the results, which implied the possibility of comparing data yielded by the studies based on the two questionnaires (MBI and BBI).
{"title":"Maslach Burnout Inventory versus Boyko's Burnout Inventory: a comparative study and methodology.","authors":"Marina B Kotova, Vadim N Kolesnikov, Marina V Kiseleva, Anton R Kiselev, Oxana M Drapkina","doi":"10.1007/s44192-024-00097-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s44192-024-00097-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>In Russia, the following two questionnaires are mainly used to study the burnout syndrome: Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and Boyko's Burnout Inventory (BBI). Despite the fact that the questionnaires are based on different theoretical models and composition of the scales, they evaluate essentially the same construct. A few published sources provide data on correlations between the results of measuring burnout using these methods. However, the presence of a correlation does not imply the comparability of the methods. The goal of our study was to compare the results of MBI and BBI as well as to develop a methodology for reciprocal recalculation of their burnout estimates.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>MBI and BBI scales were employed to diagnose the burnout syndrome. Our study included 117 men aged 41-44 years. The total scores obtained by the two methods, as well as the subscale scores, were compared using the correlation analysis, the cross-comparative analysis, and the Bland-Altman plot method, while the associations between the results were estimated with odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The total scores (integral indicators based on summing the scores of all subscales and taking into account differences in the weights of scale scores) demonstrated a high similarity in measuring the severity of the burnout. All three dimensions of burnout sensu MBI correlated with the total BBI score.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The comparison (MBI vs. BBI) demonstrated the consistency of the results, which implied the possibility of comparing data yielded by the studies based on the two questionnaires (MBI and BBI).</p>","PeriodicalId":72827,"journal":{"name":"Discover mental health","volume":"4 1","pages":"39"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11422298/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142309257","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-09-20DOI: 10.1007/s44192-024-00090-5
Ahmad Neyazi, Abdul Qadim Mohammadi, Nosaibah Razaqi, Bilal Ahmad Rahimi, Sifatullah Sifat, Najeebullah Rahimy, Zarghoon Tareen, Qasim Mehmood, Prakasini Satapathy, Mark D Griffiths
Background: One of the most significant events in recent Afghan history is the rise of the Taliban and the war that followed, which had profound impacts on the lives of Afghans. The present study examined the mental health of Afghans living under the Taliban government.
Methods: Between June 5, 2023 and February 12, 2024, a cross-sectional study was conducted among the Afghan population in three key regions of Afghanistan. Data were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. The 21-item Depression, Anxiety and Stress scale (DASS-21) was utilized to assess depression, anxiety and stress of the Afghan population. Ethical permission for this study was granted by the Afghanistan Center for Epidemiological Studies (ACES). Logistic regression models were employed to explore the relationship between socio-demographic characteristics and depression, anxiety, and stress among 2,698 participants.
Results: The prevalence of depression was 72.05%, anxiety was 71.94%, and stress was 66.49%. Multiple regression analysis indicated that gender (being female), economic status (being poor), residency (living in rural areas), education level (being illiterate), being a cigarette smoker, and having experienced a bad event during the past month were significantly associated with depression, anxiety and stress.
Conclusion: The findings of the present study show very high levels of anxiety, depression, and stress, most likely reflecting the profound impact of recent political, social, and economic changes. Notably, a significant majority of participants, particularly females and individuals above 35 years of age, reported severe to extremely severe mental health symptoms. The mental health crisis in Afghanistan is a complex and urgent issue that requires a comprehensive and compassionate response.
{"title":"Health survey on anxiety, depression, and stress in Afghanistan: A large-scale cross-sectional study amid ongoing challenges.","authors":"Ahmad Neyazi, Abdul Qadim Mohammadi, Nosaibah Razaqi, Bilal Ahmad Rahimi, Sifatullah Sifat, Najeebullah Rahimy, Zarghoon Tareen, Qasim Mehmood, Prakasini Satapathy, Mark D Griffiths","doi":"10.1007/s44192-024-00090-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s44192-024-00090-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>One of the most significant events in recent Afghan history is the rise of the Taliban and the war that followed, which had profound impacts on the lives of Afghans. The present study examined the mental health of Afghans living under the Taliban government.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Between June 5, 2023 and February 12, 2024, a cross-sectional study was conducted among the Afghan population in three key regions of Afghanistan. Data were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. The 21-item Depression, Anxiety and Stress scale (DASS-21) was utilized to assess depression, anxiety and stress of the Afghan population. Ethical permission for this study was granted by the Afghanistan Center for Epidemiological Studies (ACES). Logistic regression models were employed to explore the relationship between socio-demographic characteristics and depression, anxiety, and stress among 2,698 participants.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The prevalence of depression was 72.05%, anxiety was 71.94%, and stress was 66.49%. Multiple regression analysis indicated that gender (being female), economic status (being poor), residency (living in rural areas), education level (being illiterate), being a cigarette smoker, and having experienced a bad event during the past month were significantly associated with depression, anxiety and stress.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings of the present study show very high levels of anxiety, depression, and stress, most likely reflecting the profound impact of recent political, social, and economic changes. Notably, a significant majority of participants, particularly females and individuals above 35 years of age, reported severe to extremely severe mental health symptoms. The mental health crisis in Afghanistan is a complex and urgent issue that requires a comprehensive and compassionate response.</p>","PeriodicalId":72827,"journal":{"name":"Discover mental health","volume":"4 1","pages":"38"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11415558/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142302458","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: Adolescents are often sensitive to emotions and vulnerable to psychiatric issues, including suicidal tendencies. Emotional intelligence is believed to play a significant role in resilience, which acts as a protective factor for mental well-being. The study investigated the level of emotional intelligence, resilience, depression, and anxiety in Sudanese adolescents and the relationship between these factors.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among four high schools and included a total of 392 adolescents who completed a self-administered questionnaire consisting of the 30-item trait; Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire- short form (TEQ-SF), Brief Resilience Scale-6 (BRS-6) and Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4).
Results: Emotional intelligence levels were moderate to high (M = 131.53 ± SD 22.16). While resilience levels were low to normal (M = 3.20 ± SD 0.51). Levels of anxiety were present in 89% of students while levels of depression were present in 78% of students and both were positively correlated (r = 0.540). Emotional intelligence and resilience were positively correlated (r = 0.272, p < 0.0005). Also, Resilience was positively correlated with levels of anxiety (r = 0.105) and the latter had a significant negative association with academic performance (r = - 0.102). Parents' status significantly contributed to predicting resilience levels (p-value = 0.011), with an unstandardized beta coefficient of 0.368. The mothers' unemployment (r = - 0.100) and the father's employment (r = 0.105) were significantly linked to lower anxiety levels.
Conclusion: The high prevalence of anxiety and depression levels among Sudanese adolescents is influenced by parental separation and employment. Improving students' mental health is crucial as it is linked to enhancing their academic performance. This underscores the importance of addressing mental well-being alongside educational outcomes.
{"title":"How do emotional intelligence, resilience, and parental employment affect anxiety and depression levels among Sudanese adolescents?","authors":"Danya Ibrahim, Anfal M Altahir, Da'ad Abdalla, Ibrahim Elkhidir, Tarteel Abdelmagid, Dalya SirElkhatim, Samah Hamid, Babekir Ali, Mohammed Tamim, Osama Isam, Zahra Abdelaziz, Zainab Mohammed, Reem Mohamed Ahmed, Awatif Adil, Rania Hassan Abdelgafour","doi":"10.1007/s44192-024-00096-z","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s44192-024-00096-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Adolescents are often sensitive to emotions and vulnerable to psychiatric issues, including suicidal tendencies. Emotional intelligence is believed to play a significant role in resilience, which acts as a protective factor for mental well-being. The study investigated the level of emotional intelligence, resilience, depression, and anxiety in Sudanese adolescents and the relationship between these factors.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted among four high schools and included a total of 392 adolescents who completed a self-administered questionnaire consisting of the 30-item trait; Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire- short form (TEQ-SF), Brief Resilience Scale-6 (BRS-6) and Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Emotional intelligence levels were moderate to high (M = 131.53 ± SD 22.16). While resilience levels were low to normal (M = 3.20 ± SD 0.51). Levels of anxiety were present in 89% of students while levels of depression were present in 78% of students and both were positively correlated (r = 0.540). Emotional intelligence and resilience were positively correlated (r = 0.272, p < 0.0005). Also, Resilience was positively correlated with levels of anxiety (r = 0.105) and the latter had a significant negative association with academic performance (r = - 0.102). Parents' status significantly contributed to predicting resilience levels (p-value = 0.011), with an unstandardized beta coefficient of 0.368. The mothers' unemployment (r = - 0.100) and the father's employment (r = 0.105) were significantly linked to lower anxiety levels.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The high prevalence of anxiety and depression levels among Sudanese adolescents is influenced by parental separation and employment. Improving students' mental health is crucial as it is linked to enhancing their academic performance. This underscores the importance of addressing mental well-being alongside educational outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":72827,"journal":{"name":"Discover mental health","volume":"4 1","pages":"36"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11408447/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142302459","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-09-17DOI: 10.1007/s44192-024-00095-0
S K Spoelstra, R A Schoevers, S D Venema, H Knegtering
Introduction: Despite considerable efforts, tobacco use disorder persists as a significant public health issue. The effectiveness of current smoking cessation therapies is limited, leading to a growing interest in alternative treatment approaches such as psychedelics.
Aim: The aim of this review is to evaluate the scientific evidence regarding the role of psychedelics in smoking cessation.
Methods: To identify relevant literature on psychedelics and smoking cessation, a search was conducted in four academic literature databases PubMed, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Embase. Databases were searched from their inception up to March 24, 2024.
Results: Out of the 1073 articles identified in databases, 8 publications (both clinical and non-clinical studies) met the inclusion criteria, of which a total of 4 publications originated from a single study. The majority of the studies focused on psilocybin (n = 7), for which supportive evidence was suggested for the treatment of tobacco use disorder. Additionally, research was conducted with other psychedelics for smoking cessation, such as ayahuasca, mescaline, peyote, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), lysergic acid amide (LSA) and (dimethyltryptamine (DMT), but the evidence base for these psychedelics is too small to draw definitive conclusions.
Conclusions: There is, although limited, evidence that psychedelics, in particular psilocybin, may offer a potential avenue for combating tobacco use disorder, though more research is needed to understand their effectiveness and safety fully.
{"title":"Psychedelics as a potential treatment for tobacco use disorder: a systematic review.","authors":"S K Spoelstra, R A Schoevers, S D Venema, H Knegtering","doi":"10.1007/s44192-024-00095-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s44192-024-00095-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Despite considerable efforts, tobacco use disorder persists as a significant public health issue. The effectiveness of current smoking cessation therapies is limited, leading to a growing interest in alternative treatment approaches such as psychedelics.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>The aim of this review is to evaluate the scientific evidence regarding the role of psychedelics in smoking cessation.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>To identify relevant literature on psychedelics and smoking cessation, a search was conducted in four academic literature databases PubMed, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Embase. Databases were searched from their inception up to March 24, 2024.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Out of the 1073 articles identified in databases, 8 publications (both clinical and non-clinical studies) met the inclusion criteria, of which a total of 4 publications originated from a single study. The majority of the studies focused on psilocybin (n = 7), for which supportive evidence was suggested for the treatment of tobacco use disorder. Additionally, research was conducted with other psychedelics for smoking cessation, such as ayahuasca, mescaline, peyote, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), lysergic acid amide (LSA) and (dimethyltryptamine (DMT), but the evidence base for these psychedelics is too small to draw definitive conclusions.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>There is, although limited, evidence that psychedelics, in particular psilocybin, may offer a potential avenue for combating tobacco use disorder, though more research is needed to understand their effectiveness and safety fully.</p>","PeriodicalId":72827,"journal":{"name":"Discover mental health","volume":"4 1","pages":"37"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11408463/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142302461","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-09-10DOI: 10.1007/s44192-024-00091-4
Christian Conger, Linda B Cottler
Background: Data are needed on differences in community-dwelling populations with bipolar disorder (BP) regarding trust in research and access to care. We characterized community members by lifetime history of bipolar disorder. We hypothesized that those with BP would have less trust in research, visit a health provider less, and participate less in research than those without BP. We also hypothesized that those with BP would be more likely to have a history of marijuana (MJ) use.
Methods: A cross-sectional design was used for this analysis. The study population consisted of 12,489 members (78.0%) from the HealthStreet community engagement program who were interviewed by a Community Health Worker about health history and demographics.
Results: Among the sample, the rate of BP was 10.6% (n = 1326). Those reporting BP were more likely than those who did not (n = 11,163), to report muscle, bone, and mental health problems, to be younger, female, to have visited the doctor in the past 12 months, to be interested in participating in research, and be current MJ users. Trust did not differ between BP groups.
Conclusions: Our analysis found that persons with BP had higher access to care and more interest in research, thus our primary hypothesis was rejected. Our secondary hypothesis, that persons with BP were more likely to have a history of MJ use was upheld. These findings are important because they address a crucial gap in the literature surrounding BP and lay the groundwork for future community-level research.
{"title":"Health concerns, access to care, and trust in research and researchers among community members with bipolar disorder.","authors":"Christian Conger, Linda B Cottler","doi":"10.1007/s44192-024-00091-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s44192-024-00091-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Data are needed on differences in community-dwelling populations with bipolar disorder (BP) regarding trust in research and access to care. We characterized community members by lifetime history of bipolar disorder. We hypothesized that those with BP would have less trust in research, visit a health provider less, and participate less in research than those without BP. We also hypothesized that those with BP would be more likely to have a history of marijuana (MJ) use.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional design was used for this analysis. The study population consisted of 12,489 members (78.0%) from the HealthStreet community engagement program who were interviewed by a Community Health Worker about health history and demographics.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among the sample, the rate of BP was 10.6% (n = 1326). Those reporting BP were more likely than those who did not (n = 11,163), to report muscle, bone, and mental health problems, to be younger, female, to have visited the doctor in the past 12 months, to be interested in participating in research, and be current MJ users. Trust did not differ between BP groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our analysis found that persons with BP had higher access to care and more interest in research, thus our primary hypothesis was rejected. Our secondary hypothesis, that persons with BP were more likely to have a history of MJ use was upheld. These findings are important because they address a crucial gap in the literature surrounding BP and lay the groundwork for future community-level research.</p>","PeriodicalId":72827,"journal":{"name":"Discover mental health","volume":"4 1","pages":"34"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11387570/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142302457","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-09-10DOI: 10.1007/s44192-024-00094-1
Quamaine Bond, Himanshu Agrawal
Background: This case report describes an infrequent instance of risperidone-induced hyperprolactinemia in a 23-year-old nonverbal male with cri du chat syndrome.
Case presentation: Risperidone, initially prescribed to manage aggressive behaviors, resulted in bilateral gynecomastia and hyperprolactinemia. Tapering of risperidone led to resolution of these symptoms but exposed a resurgence of excessive masturbation, a behavior previously suppressed by the medication. Reintroduction of risperidone controlled this behavior, suggesting its potential role in managing compulsive behaviors in this population.
Conclusion: This case underscores the complex interaction between pharmacological treatment and behavioral symptoms in neurodevelopmental disorders. It highlights the necessity for meticulous monitoring and individualized treatment approaches in managing such cases.
Case presentation: Initially prescribed for managing aggressive behaviors, Risperidone led to bilateral gynecomastia and hyperprolactinemia in the patient. Gradual tapering of Risperidone alleviated these symptoms but unveiled a resurgence of excessive masturbation, a behavior previously suppressed by the medication. Reintroduction of Risperidone mitigated this behavior, suggesting its potential efficacy in managing compulsive tendencies in this demographic.
Conclusion: This case highlights the intricate interplay between pharmacological interventions and the complex behavioral manifestations of neurodevelopmental disorders. It underscores the importance of vigilant monitoring and personalized treatment strategies in such cases.
{"title":"Pharmacological tightrope: risperidone's balancing act in cri du chat syndrome.","authors":"Quamaine Bond, Himanshu Agrawal","doi":"10.1007/s44192-024-00094-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s44192-024-00094-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>This case report describes an infrequent instance of risperidone-induced hyperprolactinemia in a 23-year-old nonverbal male with cri du chat syndrome.</p><p><strong>Case presentation: </strong>Risperidone, initially prescribed to manage aggressive behaviors, resulted in bilateral gynecomastia and hyperprolactinemia. Tapering of risperidone led to resolution of these symptoms but exposed a resurgence of excessive masturbation, a behavior previously suppressed by the medication. Reintroduction of risperidone controlled this behavior, suggesting its potential role in managing compulsive behaviors in this population.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This case underscores the complex interaction between pharmacological treatment and behavioral symptoms in neurodevelopmental disorders. It highlights the necessity for meticulous monitoring and individualized treatment approaches in managing such cases.</p><p><strong>Case presentation: </strong>Initially prescribed for managing aggressive behaviors, Risperidone led to bilateral gynecomastia and hyperprolactinemia in the patient. Gradual tapering of Risperidone alleviated these symptoms but unveiled a resurgence of excessive masturbation, a behavior previously suppressed by the medication. Reintroduction of Risperidone mitigated this behavior, suggesting its potential efficacy in managing compulsive tendencies in this demographic.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This case highlights the intricate interplay between pharmacological interventions and the complex behavioral manifestations of neurodevelopmental disorders. It underscores the importance of vigilant monitoring and personalized treatment strategies in such cases.</p>","PeriodicalId":72827,"journal":{"name":"Discover mental health","volume":"4 1","pages":"35"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11387558/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142302460","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-09-09DOI: 10.1007/s44192-024-00085-2
Joan Abaatyo, Mark Mohan Kaggwa
Over the years, the use of Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has gained increasing acceptance as a viable treatment for managing treatment-resistant mental health conditions, and it is known to deliver more rapid therapeutic benefits than most treatment modalities in psychiatry. However, the practice of ECT exhibits significant variability both within and between countries. This review aimed to shed light on the status of ECT in the African context and its implications for mental health care in the region. In July 2023, databases (Ovid, PubMed, Web of Science, etc.) were searched for articles about ECT in Africa, following the PRISMA guidelines. Eligible studies reporting ECT practices in Africa and those about knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions were excluded. A total of 25 articles met the study criteria. The reviewed studies revealed that unmodified ECT continues to be used in some African countries due to resource limitations, while bilateral ECT is widely practiced across the continent. The primary diagnostic indications for ECT in Africa included severe depression and affective disorders. ECT usage and regulation vary significantly throughout Africa. The studies, primarily observational, detailed numerous challenges in employing the method, particularly concerning resource utilization in healthcare facilities. The review highlights the necessity for adaptable standards and local protocols to enhance ECT practices throughout Africa. It emphasizes the importance of conducting more evidence-based research to develop region-specific guidelines that ensure the safe and effective use of ECT. Policymakers and healthcare practitioners should prioritize resource allocation, training, and standardization to improve ECT delivery and outcomes on the continent.
{"title":"The electro-convulsive therapy story of Africa, a systematic review.","authors":"Joan Abaatyo, Mark Mohan Kaggwa","doi":"10.1007/s44192-024-00085-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s44192-024-00085-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Over the years, the use of Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has gained increasing acceptance as a viable treatment for managing treatment-resistant mental health conditions, and it is known to deliver more rapid therapeutic benefits than most treatment modalities in psychiatry. However, the practice of ECT exhibits significant variability both within and between countries. This review aimed to shed light on the status of ECT in the African context and its implications for mental health care in the region. In July 2023, databases (Ovid, PubMed, Web of Science, etc.) were searched for articles about ECT in Africa, following the PRISMA guidelines. Eligible studies reporting ECT practices in Africa and those about knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions were excluded. A total of 25 articles met the study criteria. The reviewed studies revealed that unmodified ECT continues to be used in some African countries due to resource limitations, while bilateral ECT is widely practiced across the continent. The primary diagnostic indications for ECT in Africa included severe depression and affective disorders. ECT usage and regulation vary significantly throughout Africa. The studies, primarily observational, detailed numerous challenges in employing the method, particularly concerning resource utilization in healthcare facilities. The review highlights the necessity for adaptable standards and local protocols to enhance ECT practices throughout Africa. It emphasizes the importance of conducting more evidence-based research to develop region-specific guidelines that ensure the safe and effective use of ECT. Policymakers and healthcare practitioners should prioritize resource allocation, training, and standardization to improve ECT delivery and outcomes on the continent.</p>","PeriodicalId":72827,"journal":{"name":"Discover mental health","volume":"4 1","pages":"31"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11383911/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142302462","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-09-09DOI: 10.1007/s44192-024-00089-y
Francis Agyei, Ama de-Graft Aikins, Annabella Osei-Tutu, Francis Annor
Building caring communities is fundamental to achieving a community-based approach to mental health. Understanding how communities perceive mental illness provides critical insight into fostering mental health awareness and care. We explored the perceptions of mental illness among members of two urban poor communities in Accra, Ghana. Qualitative data were collected from 77 participants through key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and situated conversations. Using theory-driven thematic analysis based on social representations theory, findings revealed cognitive-emotional representations of mental illness. The communities demonstrated high awareness of the multilevel factors contributing to mental illness risk and experiences, drawing on five sources of knowledge: embodied, common sense, medical, cultural, and religious. Mental illness representations informed the classification and legitimization of mental illness based on the severity of conditions and the identity of sufferers. These findings provide valuable insights for planning community mental health interventions that address both social and institutional care needs.
{"title":"Creating communities that care: social representation of mental health in two urban poor communities in Ghana.","authors":"Francis Agyei, Ama de-Graft Aikins, Annabella Osei-Tutu, Francis Annor","doi":"10.1007/s44192-024-00089-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s44192-024-00089-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Building caring communities is fundamental to achieving a community-based approach to mental health. Understanding how communities perceive mental illness provides critical insight into fostering mental health awareness and care. We explored the perceptions of mental illness among members of two urban poor communities in Accra, Ghana. Qualitative data were collected from 77 participants through key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and situated conversations. Using theory-driven thematic analysis based on social representations theory, findings revealed cognitive-emotional representations of mental illness. The communities demonstrated high awareness of the multilevel factors contributing to mental illness risk and experiences, drawing on five sources of knowledge: embodied, common sense, medical, cultural, and religious. Mental illness representations informed the classification and legitimization of mental illness based on the severity of conditions and the identity of sufferers. These findings provide valuable insights for planning community mental health interventions that address both social and institutional care needs.</p>","PeriodicalId":72827,"journal":{"name":"Discover mental health","volume":"4 1","pages":"33"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11384667/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142302455","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}